renaissancepaintersJust another WordPress site2016-04-19T22:33:43Zhttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca/feed/atom/renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14772016-01-22T08:35:47Z2016-01-22T08:33:17ZHard as it is to believe, a squeeze of Palmolive, a sponge and drying rack were once the only items necessary in order to tackle a sink full of dirty dishes or a tower of food-encrusted pots and pans. Of course, technology was to change all that. The first functional dishwasher was presented to the […]

Hard as it is to believe, a squeeze of Palmolive, a sponge and drying rack were once the only items necessary in order to tackle a sink full of dirty dishes or a tower of food-encrusted pots and pans.

Of course, technology was to change all that. The first functional dishwasher was presented to the nation at the Chicago World’s Fair by its inventor, Josephine Cochrane, in 1893 — although it took until the 1950’s for dishwashers to become widely available to the public.

Now, more than a century after introducing her hand-powered contraption, Cochrane probably would recognize little of her original invention in the sleek, streamlined units gracing contemporary kitchens.

New developments in dishwasher technology — such as digital controls, programmable wash options and automatic sensors – have appeared in response to consumer demand for dishwashers that are ever more convenient, hygienic, energy-efficient and effective.

Liquid Assets: Water-Saving Options

A growing appreciation and concern for the environment seems to be reflected by the increased popularity of eco-friendly Energy Star dishwashers, classified as those that are 12 percent more water-efficient and 10 percent more energy-efficient than existing federal energy standards dictate.

Manufacturers also offer a variety of environmentally-friendly options. Kitchen Aid recently unveiled its innovative Aquasense feature, in which recycled water from previous loads is used in the pre-rinse cycle. Fresh water is used in the actual cleaning process,so there is no compromise of safety or hygiene. The result: a dishwasher that uses a third less water than other models.

Assorted other companies, including Whirlpool, have developed sensors that can determine how heavily soiled the dishes are, and allocate just the right amount of water to clean them, with no waste or overuse.

They’ve Got the Power: Electricity-Saving Options

Perhaps the most inventive power-saving feature to date is the Zeolite technology by Bosch, in which microporousaluminosilicate zeolite crystals warm the dishwasher’s interior during the drying cycle, resulting in an electricity-free method of heating that dries dishes within minutes. Although currently available only in Europe, these innovative appliances are expected to sell briskly once they are offered for sale in the United States.

Other thrifty features, currently available in many American-made dishwashers, include programmable delayed start times – which can save money by triggering the machine to start after midnight or at other off-peak times, when rates for electricity are lower – and options for air-dry cycles.

Going Undercover

The overwhelming popularity of the “open” floor plan — in which kitchen and living areas segue seamlessly into one another – has caused the kitchen and its workspaces to be more visible from other parts of the home, and created a trend towards sleek, uncluttered-looking design, as well as demand for kitchen appliances that look like furniture. Wood-paneled dishwashers that blend into the cabinetry are surging in popularity; many have concealed buttons, hidden displays and minimal hardware to preserve the appearance of seamlessness.Also popular are two-level “drawer” dishwashers, in which dishes can be both washed and stored. Extra-deep drawers provide plenty of clearance for oversize pots and pans.

All in a Spray’s Work: More Cleaning Power

Not to be overlooked, of course, is the dishwasher’s ability to produce sparkling dishes and glassware. The hard-working Frigidaire Gallery features an OrbitClean rotating spray arm, which the manufacturer claims can deliver four times better water coverage than its competitors, along with quicker drying time. Not to be outdone, GE dishwashers now feature special bottle-washing jets, specifically designed to clean long, narrow items such as sports bottles and baby bottles.

Taking Control: Programmable Options

Finally, the newer contemporary dishwashers put the consumer in control with a wealth of data and programmable options.The Frigidaire Gallery, for example, features a digital display that indicates how much time is left in the cycle, and whether the machine is washing or drying at the moment. It also offers four different wash cycles — including Energy Saver and Quick Clean — three different settings for spray intensity, and three settings for drying temperature, along with a programmable wash delay. When you find the ideal parameters, you can recall the specific settings with the Favorite Cycle feature button.

Some dishwashers even rely on alternate means of communication. Thermador has arrived at a novel way in which to indicate the cycle the dishwasher is in—a beam of light is projected and displayed onto the kitchen floor. When the dishwasher’s door is opened, the interior glows sapphire.

You have to wonder what Josephine Cochrane, inventor of the early dishwasher, would think of that. Enjoy!

About the Author

Molly Hilton is the owner of Renaissance Painters in Toronto and has devoted more than 30 years to home renovation, painting, and custom home building. Her unique design concepts bring homes to life with colours and unique pieces that are artfully placed to draw attention to the most powerful and distinctive features of a home.

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14732016-01-22T08:14:56Z2016-01-22T08:14:56ZIf you have a small kitchen, going modern with your cabinets can help your room look bigger in size. Modern cabinets have a unique design to them and are known for looking simple yet elegant. They take up less space and are sleek. They have enough space to serve your needs and to give your […]

]]>If you have a small kitchen, going modern with your cabinets can help your room look bigger in size. Modern cabinets have a unique design to them and are known for looking simple yet elegant. They take up less space and are sleek. They have enough space to serve your needs and to give your kitchen that interesting change you have wanted.

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14682016-01-22T08:16:41Z2016-01-22T08:12:42ZToronto Custom Cabinetry Services Take a look at this recent custom cabinetry project where we built a fitted bookshelf. The pictures speak for themselves. Custom wooden cabinetry that fits the style of any room perfectly

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14652016-01-22T07:34:11Z2016-01-22T07:34:11ZAside from being Toronto’s favorite wallpaper removal and installation specialists, Renaissance Painters also provides free colour consultations, which can be helpful to pick the wallpaper colour and design you want for your home. Many homeowners get overwhelmed with their choices when choosing which wallpaper style to go with. Renaissance Painters suggests making a selection based […]

]]>Aside from being Toronto’s favorite wallpaper removal and installation specialists, Renaissance Painters also provides free colour consultations, which can be helpful to pick the wallpaper colour and design you want for your home.
Many homeowners get overwhelmed with their choices when choosing which wallpaper style to go with. Renaissance Painters suggests making a selection based on the room itself. If it’s a child’s room, you want a tough, durable material. For dining rooms, or bedrooms for adults, you can choose a thinner wallpaper. Choose from a selection based on the wallpaper’s strength.
Consider your budget when choosing a wallpaper design. The quality of the wallpaper will determine its price per roll. Embedded textures tend to be on the more expensive scale, while reprinted patterns can be more economical. Vinyl wallpaper is a popular choice, because the material feels nice, while the price, per roll, is sensible. Vinyl is known for lasting longer than most other types of wallpaper.
Renaissance Painters has been helping Toronto homeowners choose the perfect wallpaper design for over 28 years, in addition to removing older patterns and installing new ones. Give them a call today at (416) 618-0400 or email them at info@renaissancepainters.ca for a free quote!

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14622016-01-22T07:32:32Z2016-01-22T07:32:32ZRenaissance Painters are not just experts when it comes to painting, they are also expert wallpaper hangers.

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14592016-01-22T07:27:13Z2016-01-22T07:23:02ZOur wallpaper hanging experts have been at it again with beautiful patterned wallpaper hanging. This time perfectly hanging a patterned wallpaper on to a perfectly flat wall. If you know anything about hanging wallpaper, you will understand that hanging any sort of patterned wallpaper is the most difficult to achieve.

]]>Our wallpaper hanging experts have been at it again with beautiful patterned wallpaper hanging. This time perfectly hanging a patterned wallpaper on to a perfectly flat wall. If you know anything about hanging wallpaper, you will understand that hanging any sort of patterned wallpaper is the most difficult to achieve.

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14542016-01-22T07:12:03Z2016-01-22T06:52:07ZOver time, the sun, rain, snow, mold, mildew, algae, smoke, and bird droppings can make brick and concrete surfaces unattractive. But they also pose a threat to the structural integrity of brick and concrete: these substances, when left unattended, could actually start eroding these materials. Old, spotty paint and graffiti also make brick and concrete […]

Over time, the sun, rain, snow, mold, mildew, algae, smoke, and bird droppings can make brick and concrete surfaces unattractive. But they also pose a threat to the structural integrity of brick and concrete: these substances, when left unattended, could actually start eroding these materials.
Old, spotty paint and graffiti also make brick and concrete surfaces unsightly.
What do you do when you want your building to look nice, respectful, professional, and inviting, and you’ve got problems like these all over the exterior? Calling Renaissance Painter is the solution for you.
We will use what’s called abrasive blasting. It’s the process of harnessing pressure to propel abrasive material directly at the brick and concrete surfaces, in order to remove the contaminants, and to make the surface smoother and more handsome.

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14522016-01-22T06:45:31Z2016-01-22T06:45:31ZWhen it comes to home painting it pays to be realistic and the task is best left to professionals in the field. From exteriors to interiors, Renaissance Painters are experienced in all facets of house painting including maintenance jobs. They also take the requisite care to mask off gardens, windows and other areas prone to […]

]]>When it comes to home painting it pays to be realistic and the task is best left to professionals in the field. From exteriors to interiors, Renaissance Painters are experienced in all facets of house painting including maintenance jobs. They also take the requisite care to mask off gardens, windows and other areas prone to be stained by spray. Erecting scaffolding (while painting exteriors) and operating professional paint spraying equipment is not as easy as it seems and requires some amount of practice to get it right. As a full service painting company in the Greater Toronto Area, Renaissance Painters are fully licensed with liability insurance.

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14442016-01-22T07:13:22Z2016-01-22T06:23:25Zdescribe this metamorphosis. This transformation was posted for new clients Howard and Heather who would also like to transform their painted Rosedale home. The specifics: all brick was chemically stripped, tuck pointed and faulty bricks replaced. There is no more drastic transition than this. Its too bad that there are those who paint beautiful brick […]

describe this metamorphosis. This transformation was posted for new clients Howard and Heather who would also like to transform their painted Rosedale home. The specifics: all brick was chemically stripped, tuck pointed and faulty bricks replaced. There is no more drastic transition than this. Its too bad that there are those who paint beautiful brick instead of restoring it to its original splendor.

]]>0renaissancephttp://www.renaissancepainters.ca//?p=14382016-01-22T06:17:51Z2016-01-22T06:14:30ZCheck out this hand painted tin ceiling. It looks even better when your standing under it looking up at it. Two weeks of labour for the master artist Andrew Bak “The Bakinator”. Renaissance Painters, Toronto Painters has been working on this project for the last year intermittently. This powder room is so beautiful. All the […]

Check out this hand painted tin ceiling. It looks even better when your standing under it looking up at it. Two weeks of labour for the master artist Andrew Bak “The Bakinator”. Renaissance Painters, Toronto Painters has been working on this project for the last year intermittently.

This powder room is so beautiful. All the walls were sprayed with a glazed accent colour painted by hand to complement the tones in the sink. The wallpaper is quite striking as well. Toronto painters, Renaissance Painters are almost finished this restoration project after one year.

This dining room is fantastic: classic wallpaper, hand stained trim that was stripped and restored, and the turquoise ceiling, the clients favorite colour.

This painted hallway had 100 years of paint stripped completely down to bare wood as the paint system was failing. The staircase was restained and all wall paneling was repainted. This Toronto Painting Project in Forest Hill is almost complete.